CAUSE AND EFFECT RELATIONSHIP --HANDOUT 3
EXERCISE 1 - Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.
Dengue Fever is a mosquito-borne viral infection endemic in the tropical and sub-tropical regions.
Dengue usually occurs as epidemic in Sri Lanka following monsoon seasons.
The main reason for the spread of dengue is intermittent rains because intermittent showers are
extremely favourable for the growth of mosquito density.
The symptoms of dengue fever overlap with those of many other viral illnesses, such as West
Nile virus and chikungunya fever; therefore, it can be difficult to diagnose. Since dengue fever is
caused by a virus, there is no specific medicine or antibiotic to treat it.
Nutritious diet and lots of liquids should be given to the dengue patients; however, red and brown
foods and drinks like coffee should be avoided because vomiting may be misinterpreted as blood
stained.
Fever should be controlled with paracetamol, sponging and fans, but Aspirin should not be given
to control fever. Aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should only be taken under a
doctor's supervision because of the possibility of worsening bleeding complications.
The prevention of dengue requires control or eradication of the mosquitoes carrying the virus that
causes dengue. Hence, people are strongly advised to empty stagnant water from old tires, trash
cans and flower pots.
1. Why are intermittent rains considered as the main reason for the spread of dengue?
……#… intermittent showers are extremely favourable for the growth of mosquito density.
……
2. Why is dengue difficult to diagnose?
# The symptoms of dengue fever overlap with those of many other viral illnesses, such
as West Nile virus and chikungunya fever
3. There is no specific medicine to treat dengue. Why?
# Since dengue fever is caused by a virus,………….
4. Why shouldn’t the dengue patients take aspirin?
# because of the possibility of worsening bleeding complications.
5. Why are people strongly advised to clean their surrounding?
# The prevention of dengue requires control or eradication of the mosquitoes carrying the
virus that causes dengue